Posted 2007-10-11 10:19 AM (#69219 - in reply to #67002) Subject: RE: Favorite and least favorite horse camps in Shawnee
Member
Posts: 45
Location: Southern Illinois
I've been to Shawnee several times and have stayed at Bear Branch, Little Lusk Trail Lodge, 34 Ranch and have tent camped at Giant City (unfortunately our trailer doesn't have LQ, so we usually stay somewhere w/cabins or lodge). Bear Branch is okay - nice because of the restaurant and you have access to some decent trails. Little Lusk is my favorite place to stay, but I agree with the other posts that you must ride a while before you get to the scenic trails. 34 Ranch was okay too but they didn't have the bridle tags to buy, so I'm not even sure it was legal to ride the trails there. The ride out to One Horse Gap from 34 Ranch was a really nice ride though. If you have LQ, the trails at Giant City are superb and the horse campground is very nice too. Nice heated shower house w/flush toilets, so you're really not roughing it. The trail there is a 12-mile loop that is very well marked. You ride through some nice bluffs and you can go off the main trail and ride down into a cave. There are some nice hills and I think the trail is very scenic. Hope you & your friends have a nice ride!